Morning sunlight spilled across the castle floors, chasing away the final shadows of night. In the royal bedroom, Malvoria stretched beneath soft sheets, savoring the rare luxury of waking with Elysia curled at her side and Kaelith snuggled between them.
It was days before Kaelith's first birthday—her official banquet, an event that had somehow grown into an affair worthy of a coronation.
There would be dignitaries, friends, the Celestian Queen (regrettably), and enough food to feed a small army.
But before the cooks began clattering in the kitchens, before the tailors and gardeners and soldiers and maids all had their instructions, there was this: the slow, golden beginning of a day that promised everything.
Kaelith woke first, as always. Malvoria barely had time to open her eyes before a small fist found her cheek and a mop of silver-streaked hair burrowed beneath her chin.
Kaelith crowed with excitement, clearly remembering what the adults had promised the night before.
